In order to build support for walkable, healthy, and resource-efficient communities, the LGC convenes forums with local elected officials and city/county managers to share innovative and inspiring ideas from across the state and nation. This informal environment in a neutral setting is an excellent way for local leaders to learn about new issues from outside experts and their peers. They are most effective when conducted in monthly or bimonthly series. We organize the meetings, find a venue, invite participants and speakers, and facilitate the meetings. Based on past experience, these regional dinners typically gather a group of 20 to 30 elected officials — a number that encourages productive discussion. As the meetings often generate additional questions and interest from the participants, the service can also include staff time to provide follow-up technical assistance. [/item] [item title=”Presentations” icon=””]
Our staff regularly speaks at workshops, conferences and meetings set up by organizations, associations or local governments. We can present on a wide range of technical topics, including but not limited to:
- Infill Development
- Compact, Mixed-Use Development
- Walkable Communities
- Health and the Built Environment
- Public Participation in the Planning Process
- Bicycle and pedestrian safety and design
- Safe Routes to Schools
- Complete Streets
- Healthy community land use and transportation planning
- Energy Conservation
- Renewable Energy Generation
- Renewable Energy Implementation
The LGC also offers study sessions for local officials, staff training, presentations and conference planning services that support education on the following issues: compact housing, zoning for smart growth, livable communities, street design and air quality, growth management, transit-oriented development, walkable communities, designing for pedestrian safety, energy conservation, renewable energy generation and more.
Renewable energy feasibility studies help local governments evaluate the costs and benefits of municipal solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. Rebate incentives and financing are identified to analyze the life-cycle cost of solar energy. Presentations to local officials and staff include study findings as well as policy and program recommendations for renewable energy implementation.
Staff can also organize and deliver presentations through a webinar format. [/item] [item title=”Technical Workshops for Staff on Designing for Pedestrians and Bicyclists” icon=””]
Detailed technical workshops are key to providing local leaders and staff with the information they need to implement needed changes. LGC organizes a one-day workshop on topics related to bicycle and pedestrian design and safety. The workshop includes a variety of presenters and exercises designed to help participants apply what they have learned. A walkability audit is included as part of the workshop. We develop the agenda, identify and invite speakers, secure a venue, and arrange travel for speakers. A registration fee is used to help cover participant meal costs and facility rental. The local agency or host organization typically helps conduct outreach to market the event.[/item] [item title=”Safe Routes to School Workshops” icon=””]
Safe Routes to School programs have emerged in the last few years as an excellent way to get more children walking and bicycling safely in their communities. The program is premised on making walking and bicycling safe ways to get to school and encouraging more children to walk and bike to school. It is based on focusing on the 5 Es: Education, Encouragement, Enforcement, Engineering and Evaluation.
Half-day introductory workshop
This workshop, conducted in English and/or Spanish is designed to introduce school, city and county staff and local residents to Safe Routes to School (SRTS). It is based on the National Center for SRTS one-day workshop and is an excellent way to get these different constituencies interested in starting a program to safely increase the number of children walking and bicycling to work. The workshop highlights the benefits of SRTS programs and discusses the 5 Es of SRTS. A walkability audit or observation of drop-off/pick-up zones can be included in the workshop.
Full-day workshop
This workshop is based on the one-day workshop developed by the National Center for SRTS and is focused on helping one or a group of schools to start or expand their program. It includes discussion of the benefits of SRTS and the 5 Es as well as observation of the pick-up or drop-off conditions around the school and a short walkability audit. Participants work in small groups to develop a plan to start or expand their school’s SRTS program.
Paul Zykofsky, AICP of the Local Government Commission is a nationally certified SRTS workshop facilitator. Also, these workshops can be conducted in English and/or Spanish.[/item] [item title=”Complete Streets Workshops” icon=””]
Communities are increasingly recognizing that in order to get people to walk or bicycle more they need to provide streets that are “complete.” Effective complete streets policies help communities routinely create safe and inviting road networks for everyone, including bicyclists, drivers, transit operators and users, and pedestrians of all ages and abilities. Adoption of a Complete Streets policy at the local level is an important first step.
The National Complete Streets Coalition has developed three types of workshops to help local jurisdictions adopt and implement complete streets policies. The full-day, highly interactive workshops are customized to help approximately 30-40 key decision makers, stakeholders, and agency professionals learn how to more effectively balance the needs of all users and routinely create and maintain complete streets. Two complete streets design and policy experts help participants learn:
- Why complete streets are important, what they are — and are not;
- The many ways to develop and implement a complete streets policy;
- How complete streets can help achieve multiple transportation, health, and community goals.
The three different types of workshops offered include: “Laying the Foundation for Complete Streets,” “Complete Streets Policy Development” and “Complete Streets Policy Implementation.” Workshops would be conducted by a nationally certified Complete Streets workshop facilitator, Paul Zykofsky, AICP of the Local Government Commission.[/item] [item title=”Energy Efficiency Workshops and Trainings” icon=””]
Statewide Energy Efficiency Collaborative
LGC will be providing local government assistance through the Statewide Energy Efficiency Collaborative (SEEC), a partnership between LGC, ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability, The Institute for Local Government and California’s four Investor Owned Utilities. LGC is providing networking and training opportunities for local governments including webinars on various energy efficiency topics, an annual statewide conference on energy efficiency best practices and local government IOU partner networking meetings.
Energy Upgrade California
LGC serves as prime contractor to the California Energy Commission overseeing Energy Upgrade California PACE pilot programs in the City of Los Angeles and the City / County of San Francisco. These programs provide local financing opportunities for commercial energy efficiency and renewable energy projects through 2017.[/item] [item title=”Climate Change Workshops” icon=””]
LGC facilitates regional workshops and stakeholder meetings on climate change mitigation and adaptation. LGC conducted two workshop series, the first on CEQA and Climate Change co-hosted by the California Attorney General’s Office and the second on Implementing SB 375 co-hosted by the Strategic Growth Council. These series attracted close to 1,000 participants each statewide. Most recently LGC worked in Fresno County, CA and San Luis Obispo County, CA to develop a suite of adaptation policies that address projected climate change impacts specific to the region.[/item] [/accordion]